A chamber musician, soloist, orchestral musician, and teacher, Ms. Blatchford is a flutist who embraces the independent, the experimental, and the DIY. She was selected by the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) to be a 2017 fellow of their Ensemble Evolution program at the Banff Center for Arts and Creativity. As a founding member of the woodwind quintet The City of Tomorrow, Ms. Blatchford won the gold medal of the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition in 2011, and received a Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning grant in 2014. The quintet has commissioned new works from composers Hannah Lash, Nat Evans, and John Aylward, among others.

As a recitalist, Ms. Blatchford frequently programs music of the 20th and 21st centuries, and has been an invited guest at venues across the U.S., including Indiana University, University of Oregon, and Yale University.

Also at home in the traditional orchestra world, Ms. Blatchford will serve as interim Principal Flute for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra's 2018-19 season. She has performed with the Oregon Symphony, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the YOA Orchestra of the Americas. With YOA, she toured extensively throughout South America, the Caribbean, and mainland China; made an appearance at Carnegie Hall with Valery Gergiev; and recorded with Philip Glass.

A devoted and energetic pedagogue, Ms. Blatchford works to instill versatile musicianship in her students, so that they can create sustainable and varied careers. She has given master classes at New England Conservatory, Williams College, Longy School of Music, and Skidmore College, among many others. She holds degrees in flute performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the San Francisco Conservatory.

More music by Valerie Coleman today by University of Memphis alums @delijune and @ameliasmithclarinet with Tingting Yao on piano. YES. #flute #clarinet #trio #langstonhughes - Portraits of Langston by Valerie Coleman.

Mid-South Flute Festival and the great Valerie Coleman came to University of Memphis and we had a great time! #midsouthflutefestival #flute #flutes #wearevqpowell

@midsouthflute 2019 Festival kicks off tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30 pm at the University of Memphis! Please note all the cool pieces on just the first show. DEATH WHISTLE! #piccolohmygod #memphisflutes

The amazing Nathalie Joachim will give a flute class next Tuesday 3/12 as part of the @eighthblackbird concert. The concert is at 7:30 pm on 3/12 in Harris Concert Hall and no tickets are required - show up early to snag a seat! #flute #contemporarymusic #memphis

Upcoming Concerts

March 22-23, 2019 - Mid-South Flute Festival at the University of Memphis. More details.

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Study flute at the University of Memphis

The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis in Tennessee offers the bachelor of music and master of music degrees in music (BM and MM) and the doctor of musical arts (DMA) degree. As a flute player, you can major in flute performance, music education, music business, or minor in music while taking flute lessons.

There are considerable flute scholarship and flute assistantship opportunities available to students who audition, and the university is serious about keeping tuition affordable. I offer a free sample lesson to anyone visiting campus and I am happy to answer any questions you might have about the school via email You can also read testimonials from former students about their experience here.

I bring energy and focus to all the lessons I teach. Hard work should be praised, and enthusiasm for the music is important in fostering a disciplined work ethic. Lessons focus on fundamentals:

Tone development and intonation through embouchure work, long tones, and ear training.

special opportunities

Play better than you ever thought you could.

It all starts with that single goal, that first hour, that weekly plan. Add supportive and inspiring fellow students. Mix in varied performance opportunities and a high level of expectation. You'll never know what you can do until you try.